Bahati has new cubs!

To all Masai Mara Big Cats fans, Bahati, the female leopard of the lower Talek river, she is also the daughter of Olive (who featured in the BBC's Big Cats program) born in late 2010, now has new cubs. The cubs were seen the last couple of days at a rocky outcrop in the middle of the river between Mara Intrepids and Rekero camps. She chose the location cleverly since it is inaccessible by vehicle and unless some lions strays into the area, we can say it is relatively safe for her and the little cubs. Interestingly this is the same location where Olive, her mother had the cubs Saba and Nane. There are bushes on each side of the river in this location, and that provides her enough cover to hide or hunt. 

The cubs are believed to be about 4-6 weeks and we are yet to tell their sexes. we are viewing them from the bank which is bit far to positively get all the details.

There is still some game around, to provide Bahati with food as she raises her cubs. Sammy, a guide at Entim camp managed to get one shot of the mum and cubs, and here i post the same with permission.

Bahati playing with her new cubs

Migration October update

The migration took a dramatic change at the end of the past week. All the excitement at the crossing died out when almost all the herds from the eastern side of the Mara River crossed west and some crossed the Talek south. Once on the Mara triangle (The western side of the park) most herds headed south into northern Serengeti to settle on Lemai wedge. This maybe bit early, since they were expected to stay in the Mara till November as is always the case. Our observation shows that the the absence of rain in the region has played a role in this change of events. Driving along the border shows there is a high concentration on the Serengeti side on recently burnt plains, but there is no grass yet. As soon as the short rains comes , these plains flourish with lush nutritious grass thereby attracting many herbivores including the migrating herds.

Most of the central Mara is now almost empty with a few herds around Rhino Ridge and to the south by look out hill. However, there are still big numbers not ehMara triangle where most have settled, since there is still plenty of grass. All is not lost because the movement of the herds inside Serengeti shows they might come back if it does not rain soon in the south. We might witness a second migration in just a short season. From experience, as was the case in 1998 and 2005, when they made a come back, the herds may make their way into the Mara again before finally exiting as they head to the southern short grass pains of Serengeti/Ndutu. 

A line of wildebeests snakes its way across the Mara on their way to Serengeti

The herds going past Turner's hill not eh lower Mara triangle

Herds on Lemia wedge in Northern Serengeti